SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Religion And Human Relations

CONTRIBUTORS:

Adams, P.A;
Obiefuna, B.A.C;

ABSTRACT:

Several discourses, theses, dissertations and other research works on the social, political, economic, psychological as well as health-related issues on internally displaced persons exist. While these discourses are of immense importance, there is a dearth of literature on the religious response to the plights of internally placed persons (IDPs) in Borno State, North East Nigeria. Displacement in North East is caused mainly by terrorism which has led to the dislodgement of many Nigerians, especially in Borno State, North East of the country. The attendant consequences of displacements are gross humanitarian challenges in the area of the displaced persons’ health and nutrition, socio-economic and psychological problems, educational as well as spiritual problems. Worthy of note is the fact that women especially lactating mothers and children are the worst hit as they experience all forms of abuses including sexual harassments and infringement of their fundamental human rights. This displaced population has suffered untold hardships as they have been dislodged from their comfort zones and deprived of their means of livelihood such as: farming, fishing, trading and herding. The situation is further compounded by the fact that government and other donor agencies’ assistance are inadequate and insufficient in meeting the daily needs of displaced persons. These postulated sequences of events and the need to investigate the religious response to internally displaced persons is the reason for which this research was embarked upon. The purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which religious institutions have responded to or are responding to the needs of this displaced population. Considering the nature of the problem, observer as participant ethnographic method was the empirical method used in this study, since it is field- based. This study is multi-factorial and was conducted through the use of two data collection techniques which were qualitative and quantitative in nature in order to get a conclusion. The study made use of realist theory, human needs theory and the social exclusion theory as frameworks in anchoring the study. The summary of findings indicated that the three theories used in this study were helpful but did not adequately explain the existential realities of IDPs within the area of study. Hence, the PRADAF theory of IDPs was developed by the researcher, since it adequately explained the current realities staring IDPs in their faces. The study also found out that Christianity as an organized religion has done commendably well than Islam in terms of response to the needs of IDPs. The SPSS analysis of results presented in percentage, showed that Christianity and other Christian charity groups is indicated by 98.1% response as compared to Islam which has 46.0% response. The study concluded by maintaining that IDPs are suffering in camps and need help. It therefore recommended among others, that all stakeholders-the government at all levels, the religious institutions, NGOs and other donor agencies should endeavour to fight for peace and security to be returned to the various communities of IDPs from where they were dislodged.